Dee Holmes Coming Home

Coming Home

Dee Holmes

Berkley, Dec 2003, $5.99, 304 pp.

ISBN: 0425193020

Massachusetts history teacher Daniel Cafferty proposes marriage to his girlfriend Olivia Halsey, but instead of joy she ends their relationship stating she does not want to marry. Daniel leaves heartbroken. Meanwhile, Olivia learns that her deceased parents' home that she now owns in Bishop, Rhode Island has been vandalized. Seeing an opportunity to escape, she flees for her hometown.

Olivia's two best friends, Lexie James and Claire Fitgerald join her from Illinois and Virginia respectively. The three women, though living widely differing lifestyles, are at crossroads in their relationships with men. Olivia questions whether saying no was the right thing; Lexie wonders why one night stands leave her lonely and empty; Claire questions whether her husband even cares. The past is all around them in Bishop, but it is the future each one must decide on.

Though at times having three adult women with varying relational issues to muddle through can seem overwhelming readers will appreciate this delightful contemporary tale. The story line mostly focuses on Olivia and to a degree Daniel, but also uses the subplots of Lexie and Claire to enhance the prime theme that relationships require communication, trust and work or they atrophy. Fans of modern day relationship dramas will enjoy COMING HOME with Dee Holmes who shows sometimes you can go home.

Harriet Klausner